CHI98LA173

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff he became disoriented in the fog. The airplane contacted powelines southwest of the departure end of the airport. The powerlines were slightly below the airstrip field elevation. The airplane then traveled approximately 3/4 of a mile prior to impacting the terrain. It then continued to travel approximately 900 feet prior to contacting trees, coming to rest, and being destroyed by fire. The pilot received a weather briefing just prior to the takeoff. He was not issued, nor did he request current local conditions.

On May 24, 1998, at 0315 central daylight time, a Cessna 310R, N5247J, operated by a commercial pilot collided with powerlines followed by the terrain during an initial takeoff climb from the Augusta Municipal Airport, Augusta, Kansas. The pilot and three passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight had originated just prior to the accident.

Purpose of the flight was to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the Indianapolis 500 Race. The pilot contacted the Wichita Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) on the evening prior to the flight to file an IFR flight plan. Just prior to the flight, the pilot once again contacted the Wichita AFSS to obtain a weather briefing. The pilot was issued the en route weather and the forecast for his destination. The pilot was not issued nor did he request any weather information for his departure area.

The NTSB Form 6120.1/2 which was completed for the pilot by the co-owner of the accident airplane stated the pilot's memory of the accident was still "fuzzy." The form continued to stated "Takeoff to the South was normal. Shortly after take off, apparently some ground fog was encountered. All he remembers after that is hitting some power lines, landing flat in field, and then slid across field into some trees (approx 1 mile south of end of runway and 1/4 west)." The pilot did state to an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita, Kansas, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that he became disoriented in the fog shortly after takeoff.

Inspection of the accident site and wreckage by the FSDO Inspector revealed the airplane contacted powerlines located south-southwest of the departure end of runway 18. The airplane then traveled approximately 3/4 of a mile where it impacted the terrain in an open field. The airplane continued to travel approximately 900 feet prior to contacting trees, coming to rest, and being destroyed by fire. The height of the powerlines which were contacted was slightly below the airstrip field elevation.

The 0254 cdt weather observation at the Jabara Airport located 9 miles northwest of the accident site reported the visibility as 1/2 mile with fog, and a vertical visibility of 100 feet, with a temperature and dewpoint of 13 degrees Celsius.

The 0255 cdt weather observation at the McConnell AFB located 11 miles southwest of the accident site reported the visibility as 7 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet, with a temperature and dewpoint of 17 degrees and 16 degrees Celsius respectively.